2008 GMC SIERRA warning

Parking Brake
To set the parking brake, hold the regular brake pedal
down with your right foot. Push down the parking
brake pedal with your left foot.
A chime sounds and the warning light ashes when the
parking brake is applied and the vehicle is moving at
least 5 mph (8 km/h).To release the parking brake, hold the regular brake
pedal down. Then pull the bottom edge of the lever, with
the parking brake symbol and located above the
parking brake pedal.
If the ignition is on when the parking brake is released,
the brake system warning light goes off.
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can
overheat the brake system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system parts. Make sure
that the parking brake is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on any hill,
seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-55.
2-49

Instrument Panel Overview...............................3-4
Instrument Panel Overview
(Base/Uplevel version).................................3-4
Instrument Panel Overview
(Premium version).......................................3-6
Hazard Warning Flashers................................3-8
Other Warning Devices...................................3-8
Horn.............................................................3-8
Tilt Wheel.....................................................3-9
Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever.........................3-9
Turn and Lane-Change Signals.......................3-10
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer.................3-11
Flash-to-Pass...............................................3-11
Windshield Wipers........................................3-12
Rainsense™ II Wipers...................................3-12
Windshield Washer.......................................3-13
Cruise Control..............................................3-14
Exterior Lamps.............................................3-17
Headlamps on Reminder................................3-18
Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).......................3-18
Automatic Headlamp System..........................3-19
Puddle Lamps..............................................3-20
Fog Lamps..................................................3-20
Auxiliary Roof Mounted Lamp.........................3-20Instrument Panel Brightness...........................3-21
Dome Lamps...............................................3-21
Dome Lamp Override....................................3-21
Entry Lighting...............................................3-21
Exit Lighting.................................................3-21
Reading Lamps............................................3-22
Cargo Lamp.................................................3-22
Electric Power Management...........................3-22
Battery Run-Down Protection..........................3-23
Accessory Power Outlet(s).............................3-23
Ashtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter......................3-24
Climate Controls............................................3-25
Climate Control System
(With Air Conditioning)...............................3-25
Climate Control System (Heater Only)..............3-27
Dual Automatic Climate Control System...........3-28
Outlet Adjustment.........................................3-33
Warning Lights, Gages, and Indicators............3-34
Instrument Panel Cluster................................3-35
Speedometer and Odometer...........................3-36
Trip Odometer..............................................3-36
Tachometer.................................................3-36
Safety Belt Reminders...................................3-37
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-1

Airbag Readiness Light..................................3-38
Airbag Off Light............................................3-39
Passenger Airbag Status Indicator...................3-41
Charging System Light..................................3-43
Voltmeter Gage............................................3-43
Brake System Warning Light..........................3-44
Antilock Brake System Warning Light...............3-45
StabiliTrak
®Indicator Light..............................3-46
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-46
Tire Pressure Light.......................................3-47
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-48
Oil Pressure Gage........................................3-50
Oil Pressure Light.........................................3-51
Security Light...............................................3-52
Fog Lamp Light............................................3-52
Cruise Control Light......................................3-52
Highbeam On Light.......................................3-52
Four-Wheel-Drive Light..................................3-53
Tow/Haul Mode Light....................................3-53
Fuel Gage...................................................3-53
Low Fuel Warning Light.................................3-54Driver Information Center (DIC).......................3-54
DIC Operation and Displays
(With DIC Buttons)....................................3-55
DIC Operation and Displays
(Without DIC Buttons)................................3-60
DIC Warnings and Messages.........................3-63
DIC Vehicle Customization
(With DIC Buttons)....................................3-72
Audio System(s).............................................3-80
Setting the Clock..........................................3-81
Radio(s)......................................................3-84
Using an MP3 (Radio with CD or
Six-Disc CD Player).................................3-102
Using an MP3 (Radio with CD and
DVD Player)...........................................3-106
XM Radio Messages...................................3-111
Navigation/Radio System..............................3-112
Rear Seat Entertainment (RSE) System.........3-113
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)................................3-122
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-123
Audio Steering Wheel Controls......................3-124
Radio Reception.........................................3-125
Fixed Mast Antenna....................................3-126
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System............3-126
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-2

C. Driver Information Center (DIC) Buttons. SeeDriver
Information Center (DIC) on page 3-54.
D. Hazard Warning Flasher Button. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 3-8.
E. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-35.
F. Shift Lever. SeeAutomatic Transmission Operation
on page 2-28. Tow/Haul Selector Button (If
Equipped). SeeTow/Haul Mode on page 2-34.
Range Selection Mode (Allison Transmission
®and
Hydra-Matic®6-Speed Button (If Equipped). See
Automatic Transmission Operation on page 2-28.
G. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on page 3-80.
H. Instrument Panel Storage Area. SeeInstrument
Panel Storage on page 2-75.
I. Integrated Trailer Brake Controller (If Equipped). See
Towing a Trailer on page 4-55.
J. Exterior Lamp Controls. SeeExterior Lamps on
page 3-17.
K. Hood Release. SeeHood Release on page 5-13.
L. Parking Brake. SeeParking Brake on page 2-49.
M. Dome Lamp Override Button. SeeDome Lamp
Override on page 3-21. Dome Lamp Knob. See
Dome Lamps on page 3-21. Fog Lamp Button
(If Equipped). SeeFog Lamps on page 3-20.
N. Cruise Control Buttons. SeeCruise Control on
page 3-14.
O. Tilt Wheel Lever. SeeTilt Wheel on page 3-9.P. Horn. SeeHorn on page 3-8.
Q. Audio Steering Wheel Controls (If Equipped). See
Audio Steering Wheel Controls on page 3-124.
R. Automatic Transfer Case Control (If Equipped). See
Four-Wheel Drive on page 2-36.
S. Ashtray (If Equipped). SeeAshtray(s) and Cigarette
Lighter on page 3-24.
T. StabiliTrak
®Button (If Equipped). SeeStabiliTrak®
System on page 4-6. Ultrasonic Rear Park Assist
Disable Button (If Equipped). SeeUltrasonic
Rear Parking Assist (URPA) on page 2-63. Pedal
Adjust Button (If Equipped). SeeAdjustable Throttle
and Brake Pedal on page 2-26. Heated Windshield
Washer Fluid Button (If Equipped).Windshield
Washer on page 3-13.
U. Accessory Power Outlet. SeeAccessory Power
Outlet(s) on page 3-23.
V. Climate Control System. SeeClimate Control
System (With Air Conditioning ) on page 3-25or
Climate Control System (Heater Only) on page 3-27
andDual Automatic Climate Control System on
page 3-28.
W. Power Take Off (PTO) Control (If Equipped). See
Power Take Off (PTO) in the DURAMAX
®Diesel
Supplement Index.
X. Passenger Airbag Off Control (If Equipped). See
Airbag Off Switch on page 1-76.
Y. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-74.
3-5

A. Air Outlets. SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-33.
B. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. SeeTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-9.
C. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-35.
D. Hazard Warning Flasher Button. SeeHazard
Warning Flashers on page 3-8.
E. Shift Lever. SeeAutomatic Transmission Operation
on page 2-28.
F. Tow/Haul Selector Button (If Equipped). See
Tow/Haul Mode on page 2-34.
G. Driver Information Center (DIC) Controls. SeeDriver
Information Center (DIC) on page 3-54.
H. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on page 3-80.
I. Exterior Lamps Control. SeeExterior Lamps on
page 3-17.
J. Integrated Trailer Brake Controller (If Equipped). See
Towing a Trailer on page 4-55.
K. Dome Lamp Override Button. SeeDome Lamp
Override on page 3-21. Dome Lamp Knob.
SeeDome Lamps on page 3-21.
L. Automatic Transfer Case Control. (If Equipped). See
Four-Wheel Drive on page 2-36.
M. Hood Release. SeeHood Release on page 5-13.
N. Parking Brake. SeeParking Brake on page 2-49.O. Cruise Control Buttons. SeeCruise Control on
page 3-14.
P. Tilt Wheel Lever. SeeTilt Wheel on page 3-9.
Q. Horn. SeeHorn on page 3-8.
R. Audio Steering Wheel Controls. SeeAudio Steering
Wheel Controls on page 3-124.
S. Climate Controls. SeeClimate Control System (With
Air Conditioning ) on page 3-25orClimate Control
System (Heater Only) on page 3-27or Dual
Automatic Climate Controls (If Equipped). SeeDual
Automatic Climate Control System on page 3-28.
T. Accessory Power Outlets. SeeAccessory Power
Outlet(s) on page 3-23. Cigarette Lighter (If
Equipped). SeeAshtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter on
page 3-24.
U. StabiliTrak
®Button (If Equipped). SeeStabiliTrak®
System on page 4-6. Pedal Adjust Button (If
Equipped). SeeAdjustable Throttle and Brake Pedal
on page 2-26. Rear Park Assist Disable Button (If
Equipped). SeeUltrasonic Rear Parking Assist
(URPA) on page 2-63. Heated Windshield Washer
Fluid Button (If Equipped). SeeWindshield Washer
on page 3-13.
V. Passenger Airbag Off Control (If Equipped). See
Airbag Off Switch on page 1-76.
W. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-74.
3-7

Hazard Warning Flashers
The hazard warning ashers warn others. They also let
police know you have a problem.
The hazard warning
asher button is located
on top of the steering
column.
Press the button to make the front and rear turn signal
lamps ash on and off. Press the button again to
turn the ashers off.The hazard warning ashers work no matter what
ignition position the key is in, and even if the key is not
in the ignition.
When the hazard warning ashers are on, your vehicle’s
turn signals will not work.
Other Warning Devices
If you carry reective triangles, you can set them up at
the side of the road about 300 feet (100 m) behind
your vehicle.
Horn
To sound the horn, press the horn symbols located on
the steering wheel.
3-8

EPM works to prevent excessive discharge of the
battery. It does this by balancing the generator’s output
and the vehicle’s electrical needs. It can increase
engine idle speed to generate more power, whenever
needed. It can temporarily reduce the power demands of
some accessories.
Normally, these actions occur in steps or levels, without
being noticeable. In rare cases at the highest levels
of corrective action, this action may be noticeable to the
driver. If so, a Driver Information Center (DIC)
message might be displayed, such as Battery Saver
Active or Service Battery Charging System. If this
message is displayed, it is recommended that the driver
reduce the electrical loads as much as possible. See
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-63.
Battery Run-Down Protection
This feature shuts off the dome and reading lamps, if
they are left on for more than 10 minutes after the
ignition is turned off. The cargo lamp shuts off
after 20 minutes. This prevents the battery from
running down.
Accessory Power Outlet(s)
Accessory power outlets can be used to connect
auxiliary electrical equipment, such as a cellular
telephone or CB radio.
The vehicle may have two accessory power outlets
located below the climate control system, or may have
one accessory power outlet and one cigarette lighter.
The cigarette lighter is designed to t only in the
receptacle closest to the driver.
There may be another accessory power outlet in the
rear cargo area. If the vehicle has a oor console, there
is an accessory power outlet inside the storage bin
and one on the rear of the oor console.
To use an accessory power outlet, remove the protective
cap. When not in use, always cover the accessory
power outlet with the protective cap.
Notice:Leaving electrical equipment plugged in for
an extended period of time while the vehicle is off
will drain the battery. Power is always supplied
to the outlets. Always unplug electrical equipment
when not in use and do not plug in equipment
that exceeds the maximum 20 ampere rating.
3-23

Operation Tips

Clear away any ice, snow, or leaves from air inlets
at the base of the windshield that could block the
ow of air into your vehicle.
Keep the path under the front seats clear of objects
to help circulate the air inside of the vehicle more
effectively.
Use of non-GM approved hood deectors can
adversely affect the performance of the system.
Check with your dealer/retailer before adding
equipment to the outside of your vehicle.
Warning Lights, Gages, and
Indicators
This part describes the warning lights and gages on
your vehicle. The pictures help to locate them.
Warning lights and gages can signal that something is
wrong before it becomes serious enough to cause
an expensive repair or replacement. Paying attention to
the warning lights and gages could also save you or
others from injury.Warning lights come on when there may be or is a
problem with one of your vehicle’s functions. As
the details show on the next few pages, some warning
lights come on briey when you start the engine just
to let you know they are working. If you are familiar with
this section, you should not be alarmed when this
happens.
Gages can indicate when there may be or is a problem
with one of your vehicle’s functions. Often gages
and warning lights work together to let you know when
there is a problem with your vehicle.
When one of the warning lights comes on and stays on
as you are driving, or when one of the gages shows
there may be a problem, check the section that tells you
what to do about it. Please follow this manual’s
advice. Waiting to do repairs can be costly and even
dangerous. So please get to know your vehicle’s
warning lights and gages. They can be a big help.
Your vehicle also has a Driver Information Center (DIC)
that works along with warning lights and gages. See
DIC Warnings and Messages on page 3-63for
more information.
3-34